Astros to make manager announcement at 10 a.m.

The Astros have scheduled a 10 a.m. news conference today, prompting speculation that they may be prepared to announce the name of their new manager.

The team said Astros owner Jim Crane and general manager Jeff Luhnow will be on hand and that “an announcement will be made.”

Team officials say they have interviewed nine candidates for the job and that they were zeroing in on three to four top contenders with emphasis on two possibilities. That group includes Rays bench coach Dave Martinez, Red Sox bench coach Tim Bogar, interim manager Tony DeFrancesco and Nationals third-base coach Bo Porter.

The Red Sox are the only team of the three represented among the leading candidates that has the day off. The Astros also have an off day before their season-ending road trip to Milwaukee and Chicago.